BOSTON, July 23, 2018—A victim-witness advocate in District Attorney Dan Conley’s office who concentrates on older adults and people with disabilities was honored with an award recently for her outstanding service.

Sasha Brown received the Suffolk Award for Outstanding Superior Court Victim-Witness Advocate during a ceremony held at Suffolk University Law School last month. Brown is assigned to the DA’s Elders and Persons with Disabilities Unit, the branch of the office that focuses on financial exploitation, physical abuse, and neglect of victims who are older adults or living with a physical or developmental disability.

“Because the victims in these cases are particularly vulnerable, they require someone with the skills and compassion to put them at ease and assure them that they’ll be treated with dignity and respect,” Conley said. “Sasha does just that, day in and day out, and I’m truly grateful to have her on our team.”

Brown was nominated for the award by her peers, who lauded her dedication to the men and women she serves.

“Whether it’s helping prepare a victim for trial, standing with someone during an impact statement, or consoling a victim and their family following a verdict, Sasha is always unwavering in her support for every victim she supports,” one prosecutor said. “If a victim needs to speak early in the morning, is only available to meet after work in the evening, or reschedules a meeting three times in one week, Sasha is always there to make sure their needs are met. On more than one occasion I have had victims tell me, ‘I’ll be okay on the trial day because Sasha is going to be there,’ and that’s how I feel as well.”

Brown was hired at the DA’s office as an administrative assistant assigned to the Child Protection Unit. She took on a new role as a victim-witness advocate in Brighton Municipal Court in 2016, and later moved on to the busier Boston Municipal Court downtown. She was promoted to the EPDU last year – but insisted on keeping the toughest of her municipal court cases to give the victims a sense of continuity as they proceeded to trial.

“Sasha Brown is truly an outstanding advocate,” said Katherine Moran, director of the DA’s Victim-Witness Assistant Program. “She is a powerful spokesperson for survivors. Her detailed planning, her perseverance and her kindness have given confidence to countless victims and witnesses. She helps them find their courage, no matter their ability, and she represents the very best of victim services.”

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.